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Hope you’ve had a good week. Lately the mtb committee has been working on adding all our trail network to Trailforks, an online trail map and information app. It’s the largest trail app on the planet and it’s free! We are hopeful this will assist members and visitors navigate around the park while also providing a wealth of additional info. It’s really comprehensive and the more we delve the more great features we discover. It’s even got a real easy way to donate to park maintenance and new trail construction. Follow the link above to check it out.

We believe it will also assist with our maintenance management greatly as it provides a simple way for anyone to leave a trail condition rating and/or comments re any issues on trail and has some terrific reporting ability. Pics and video can also be uploaded by anyone and loops can be added too. And simply using the app provides us with good data re how often and when individual trails are ridden so among other things we know where and when trails need to be inspected to confirm any outstanding maintenance issues. Using the app in conjunction with Strava provides even more useful data. These measures will also enable us to make sure of compliance with key partners (ACP, Shire, HVP, community) reporting requirements and insurers policies, to maintain protection for our all riders and volunteers.

Please note we still have some work to do inputting more data and detail but the app really shows it’s worth as more users engage with it and utilise it’s features. You’ll notice some holes re trail descriptions and perhaps even identify some errors. If so either change/correct it yourself or let us know and we will! (trails@alpinecyclingclub.com.au).

The Federal and State Governments have announced an upgrade of the Great Alpine Road from Bruthen in East Gippsland to Wangaratta in North Eastern Victoria.

Funding of $18 million has been allocated for ‘betterment’ or improvement works (not maintenance) on this important freight
and tourism route. $10 million will be invested on the section of road from Bruthen to just east of Mt Hotham, while $8 million
has been allocated to upgrade the route from east of Mt Hotham to Wangaratta.

Types of works
VicRoads is looking to identify improvement works that contribute to route safety, accessibility and reliability for all modes of transport, along with neighbourhood amenity and economic activity.

Examples of improvement works likely to be included are slow vehicle pull-over bays, intersection improvements, road widening and shoulder sealing, safety barriers, pavement restoration (not patching) and bridge improvements. Rest areas, shared off-road pathways and improved pedestrian facilities may also form part of the works.

Works priorities
In developing a list of priorities for improvement works along the Great Alpine Road, VicRoads will consider road usage patterns, crash data, feedback from stakeholders such as local municipalities, the freight, tourism and emergency services sectors, and input from the broader community.

Timeframes
The VicRoads Eastern and North Eastern Regions will work together to carry out planning for these works in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 financial years.
Some construction will be started in late 2017, with the full program of upgrades to be completed by the end of the 2019- 2020 financial year.

Community participation
Throughout March to May 2017, VicRoads is seeking feedback from the community to identify issues of concern along this route. Input from the community will be used to compile a list of proposed works to be considered under the upgrade program.

A second round of community consultation in mid-late 2017 will again canvas the community to ascertain its priorities for works identified during the initial community consultation stage.

More information
If you would like to have your say on issues along the Great Alpine Road or would like to be kept updated on the progress of this project, please email gippslandprojects@roads.vic.gov.au

Just a quick reminder that the next Junior MTB Race series is this Saturday at Beechworth MTB Park, Alma Road Beechworth, just on the outskirts of town – you can find more information on the trails on Beechworth Chain Gang’s website http://beechworthchaingang.com/local-trails/

I encourage all Alpine Cycling Club juniors to come along to this race, a great chance to ride trails which are really different to ours, lots of granite, and to race against different people – if you have time, plan to go for a ride after the race and check out more of the trails.

Registration is from 8.30am and racing starts at 9.30am – it will be an XCO style race with a set number of laps depending on the age group.

The cost to enter is $10 per race or $30 for all 5 races – all riders must have MTBA Licence – you can enter online at Register Now or if you have already entered for one of the races, enter on the day – please bring your club name plate.

2017 RAMBO REGIONAL VICTORIA JUNIOR MTB DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

Joining a Junior MTB Development Squad is a great opportunity for juniors to gain an understanding of what is required for them to take a step into higher level racing; you will attending coaching sessions and races with junior riders from the region and I would encourage any junior who is thinking of trying out higher level racing to consider joining the squad, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call.

Squad size: 10 athletes
Age: 12 – 18 (as at 31 December 2017)
Program cost: $380
First Session: 4 March 2017
Riders will receive a minimum 24 hours of face to face coaching
Sessions include insight into how to be a high level competitor. Sessions will cover skills, training styles, physiology testing, nutrition and recovery techniques over a 12 week program.
You will find more information at www.mtba.asn.au/development/ or email Greg Meyland for more information gmeyland@gmail.com.

Alpine Cycling Club juniors who have gone through the MTBA Junior Development Program include Aaron Gungl, Callum Grant, Teagan Atherstone and William Webb.

A great representation of Alpine Cycling Club members at Rounds 5 and 6 of the National XCO Series at Mt Taylor in Gippsland on the weekend. Scorching hot racing on Saturday was followed by freezing and rainy conditions on Sunday. Congratulations to Geoff Vietz on his first place in Masters 3 on both days and to Darin Lynch for his 3rd place on Saturday; Monica Hersburgh for her fabulous 1st place on Sunday and very stylish podium presence; Rebecca Feltrin for placing 2nd on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday in the Women’s Masters 4; Callum Grant for riding from almost last position after a mechanical to 12th place out of 40 riders on Saturday and then backing it up with a very strong 4th place on Sunday; Teagan Atherstone for her stylish start to racing on Saturday finished on the podium on both days in 5th place; awesome work to William Webb for making the step up to Under 17 and his brilliant sprint finish on Sunday and also to Sebastian Jayne racing in the Elites.

Alpine Cycling Club will be placing an order for kit on 20th of February. If you would like to order any club kit – please email secretary@alpineycyclingclub.com.au BEFORE 20Feb. Next Order will not go in until the middle of the year.

Hero Trail Update – Due to road widening works taking place, Hero and any other trails accessible above the junction of Mystic Lane and Hazeldine Road, will be closed from Monday the 13th for roughly 5 days. The section of road that’s currently being managed by traffic lights is being widened to accommodate two lanes of traffic – YAY! The GREAT news is the remainder of our extensive trail network will remain open! A big thank you must go to HVP for putting in place this well needed upgrade. Great work!

Tuesday Rides
Just a reminder that our Tuesday afternoon rides will start next Tuesday, 7 February – riding away at 4.30pm from the club rooms, so make sure you are there with plenty to time to find your groups and ride leader – if you arrive at 4.30 there is every chance your group will be riding away without you.

Please remember in this hot weather that children must have a full drink bottle or a small backpack with water; please also take this opportunity to make sure your child’s bike is in good condition, check brakes, tyre condition, gears changing well, chain clean and lubes; handle bars have end cap; seat adjusted and that there are not rattles and loose bits.

All children must ride with their name plate which should have a parent or guardian’s contact details written on the back and any medical conditions which may be relevant.

We are always keen to have parent helpers come along as ride leaders or assistant ride leaders so please don’t be shy to put up your hand to help out – without parent helpers the activity will not run.

Cancellations

Sometimes it is necessary to cancel our junior ride activity, we endeavour to make this call as early as possible; I will always send out an email advising of cancellation and post a notice on Bright Cyclists and Alpine Cycling Club Facebook pages.

Social Team Relay

All club members are invited to join the club’s Social Team Relay on Pump Track from this Thursday, 2 February starting at 6pm – there is no cost to enter.(This is a series of five races, every Thursday) This is a great opportunity for families to meet other club members and have fun ‘racing’ together or to join up with others to form a team. A team consists of
1 x junior (under 15)

1 x female

1 x master (over 40)

1 x other

Each team will complete 5 laps of the pump track with the juniors doing the first lap and then the rest of the team can go off in any order.

The social team relay will be followed by Dirt Crits – a little more competitive, but still open for any club member to enter.

Arrive at the Trail Head Sign on Mystic Lane from 5.45pm on Thursdays to register your team.

Junior MTB Race Series

We have had great turnout for the first 3 of our Junior MTB Race Series; it is so good to see juniors of all abilities coming along to have a go, demonstrating great sportsmanship and persistence. The next race will be hosted by the Beechworth Chain Gang at the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park on 25 February and will be an excellent opportunity for our juniors to ride at another park. For more information about the race series go the Junior Tab on the Club’s website or register online at https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=18610

“Believe it, the new Hero Trail at Bright is a real game changer. We’ve certainly never ridden another trail like it in Australia, with its endless jumps, bus-sized berms, crazy flow and corners that want to peel your tyres off. We can’t wait to bring you the video from from this one!”